Marvel announced today that Robert Downey, Jr. has signed on for Avengers 2 and 3, though word was mum on any further Iron Man films.

Either that will come with a second deal, or RDJ is done with the solo films altogether.

Either way, securing the continuity for at least the next two team films is good news for all of us fans.

Here’s Marvel’s official statement:

“I am Iron Man.”
Tony Stark’s famous closing line to the very first Iron Man film takes on new life today as Marvel is pleased to announce the signing of Robert Downey, Jr. to reprise the role of the “billionaire, genius, playboy, philanthropist.”
Under the two-picture agreement, Downey will star as Tony Stark/Iron Man in “Marvel’s The Avengers 2” and “Marvel’s The Avengers 3.” Downey is represented at CAA by Bryan Lourd, Jim Toth and Matt Leaf and by his attorneys Tom Hansen and Stewart Brookman of the firm Hansen Jacobson.
Downey, Jr.’s last two Marvel films, 2012’s “Marvel’s The Avengers” and this year’s “Iron Man 3,” rank as two of the top five grossing films of all time, collectively earning over $2.7 billion worldwide to date.
“Marvel’s The Avengers 2” is being written and directed by Joss Whedon. Featuring favorites from the first Avengers film and new Marvel characters never before seen on the big screen, “Marvel’s The Avengers 2” is slated to begin production in March 2014 and open in theaters May 1, 2015.
Thrilled by this mega announcement, Marvelites? Well, be sure you stay glued to Marvel.com because in the coming days and weeks and months, Marvel.com will be FIRST in the world to reveal additional casting updates, new characters coming to Marvel movies and so much more — directly from the most secret meetings at Marvel! You wouldn’t want to miss out on that now, would you?!

They mention new characters, and I wonder how soon it will be before there’s a Dr. Strange announcement, especially with El Mayimbe from Latino Review teasing a scoop on that very subject.

We’ll see! Check back for more updates.

Sometimes being a girly girl geek has its bonuses. Well, all the time it does, because that’s awesome, but sometimes it has bonuses that you get to share with everyone.

Picture it: It’s a gloomy Saturday morning, and your trolling your favorite private shopping sites for discounted McQ and instead you stumble on this.

I’m sorry, did the site that usually offers me Urban Decay and ridiculously expensive baby clothes just show me some Marvel art? Yes. Yes they did, and they are selling an amazing lot of art for up to 80% off. Here is a fraction of what is up for grabs:

I Am An Avenger #5 framed and signed? Don’t mind if I do!

Last Man Standing holy crap that’s awesome.

Defenders: Strange Heroes. COME ON, they have Defenders art!!

And lastly, if anyone wants to buy this for me, I’m just sayin’, it has pretty much all my favorite characters and just… Wow.

The cons? You do have to be a site member to make purchases. But the pros? I don’t think you have to be invited anymore, and also I’m sorry did you see that art? It’s amazing. Just pop over to Gilt to start adding to your collection.

Well, what can be said about this latest installment of the Iron Man saga?

I feel like it was a vast improvement over the last film and, at this point, I’m pretty convinced that it might be my favorite of the three films. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy Favreau’s efforts, but this just brought things together in a way I wasn’t sure was possible.

Where to even start? This is a post-Avengers world, and thusly, this is our first glimpse into what the Marvel Universe looks like after the invasion of the Chitauri, and it’s our most human look at Tony Stark across the board. Shane Black said we couldn’t see him dealing with the demon in the bottle, but we were certainly able to see him battling the devil in himself. At this stage in his life, he’s prone to panic attacks at the mere mention of the words “New York.”

Yes, we saw Tony change in The Avengers, but that change wasn’t all for the better and Tony wasn’t exactly ready for the change.

And, like most things in Tony’s life, things from his past come back to haunt him.

I don’t want to get too much into spoiler territory with this review. I will say that I’m still not sure that I like some of the choices for characters made. I can safely say, though, that I do like the portrayal of The Mandarin. Ben Kingsley is fantastic and turns in one of the finest performances of any superhero villain. Though I will admit the direction they take him might upset some fans. It made perfect sense, though.

What I will say, is that Shane Black placed his own thumbprint on the film in a way I wasn’t sure was possible. It’s a Christmas movie that instantly conjured images of Lethal Weapon, with the Christmas music, tree lots, people tossing fake badges on tables, Riggs and Murtaugh like shootouts in construction sites…  This film truly is the descendant of Lethal Weapon. It also has much more of Shane Black’s later sensibilities, many will notice similarities in style with his last Robert Downey, Jr. film, Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang. It’s particularly striking in the way the film starts and ends.

As for the post-credits sequence, it’s worth staying for once, and it’s fun to see other characters from the Avengers universe, but it’s not much to write home about. It’s satisfying to a degree, but I feel like it should have left a stronger lead up to Thor: The Dark World.

This film had me in tears (the scene where Tony’s house is blown up!) and in stitches (Tony is as funny as ever.) It had me smiling (Downton Abbey!) throughout and cheering for the good guys and hissing at the bad guys. Guy Pearce is particularly delightful, if not slightly cardboard. The events put into motion provide the backdrop for the most stunning and Iron Man filled finale in any of the movies.

And I can’t overstate how much I liked his interplay with “The Kid.” Best sidekick ever.

My only complaint (aside from the questionable change of one character, which may or may not be fixed by the end) is that it felt as thought Rebecca Hall was underused. I think she’s a great actress and she was given a bit of short shrift here, underutilized in a way that was even worse than Sam Rockwell’s under-utilization.

Will you enjoy Iron Man 3? Absolutely.

Did I? You bet.

Was it the best of the three? As I’m at the end of this review, I still think so, yes.

Am I still more excited for Thor: The Dark World coming later this year? Verily.

Iron Man 3 hits cinemas in the United States on Friday.

If you’re tired of just looking at pictures or Tony Stark’s awesome Iron Man armor, then I suggest you get to Disneyland between April and September this year!

It has just been announced via the Disney Parks Blog that a new exhibit will be coming to Innoventions at Disneyland in California on April 13. The exhibit is called Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries, and will give visitors the chance to go inside Tony Stark’s Hall of Armor and much more.

Beginning April 13, Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries will give Disneyland park guests the chance to see Tony Stark’s Hall of Armor, featuring Iron Man suits Mark I-VII – the same suits featured in “Iron Man 3.” And you will even be able to virtually “suit up,” yourself! Through simulation technology, guests will be able to see what it’s like to operate the latest pieces of the Mark 42 Iron Man armor, even getting the chance to test out its infamous repulsor blasts.

I’m not sure what is meant by “virtually suiting up through simulation technology”, but you can count me in. Literally. Lucky for me, the soon-to-be-Mrs. Arse-bot and I will be going to Disneyland in May for our honeymoon, and you can bet your ass I’ll be checking this out. I will be starting a Kickstarter in the next few days to preemptively start raising money to make bail for when I get arrested for trying to don a suit of armor and fly out of the park.

For those of you that may not be able to make the journey to Disneyland during this time frame, check back at the end of May as I plan to have a full report and plenty of pictures from this hopefully-awesome display!

You can follow Arse-bot and all the pointless thoughts he puts out into the interwebs on Twitter @Arse_bot

Way back when the Iron Man suit for Iron Man 3 was revealed – you know, the “mostly gold” one – it was noted that is was actually Tony’s Mark XLVII (47) armor. The suit that Iron Man jumps into at the end of The Avengers is the Mark VII (7), so speculation began as to how Tony has arrived at Mark XLVII in Iron Man 3. One rumor was that the Mark XLVII controlled 39 other identical suits of armor, but with the reveal of each new trailer for Iron Man 3, it’s apparent Tony has just been quite busy since the events in The Avengers.

Before we get into the six of these sets of armor that have been revealed, I have a theory about this – nothing too crazy, and I’m sure I’m not the only one to come to this conclusion. Judging by the trailers, I think the events of The Avengers spooked Stark a bit, and now add this to the fact that he is in a relationship with Pepper Potts with the feeling that he must always protect the woman he loves from those who would wish to destroy him, the “bad guys” out there have gotten in his head. So, in the time span since The Avengersto Iron Man 3 (however long that proves to be) Stark has become a bit obsessive about creating all types of armor to be prepared for any and all foreseeable threat that could materialize, creating his “Hall of Armor” – or as it has been reported that he lovingly refers to it as, “The Wine Cellar”.

Personally, if this proves to be somewhat true, I like this direction. Tony Stark being knocked down a few pegs seems like the appropriate response following just barely saving the world.

In any case, we now know for a fact that Tony Start now has several different versions of armor at his disposal, and the official Iron Man facebook page has spent the last week or so revealing up-close looks at a few of these. They all look pretty awesome to me, and I like the idea of Tony having several different suits at his disposal in the films now since those of us who have ever read an Iron Man comic know, he’s never been just a one woman suit of armor kind of guy. And he can call the Mark XXXVIII “Igor” all he wants, but I’m still maintaining it’s the “Hulk Buster”.

Check out the pictures below and let us know what you think of Tony’s new armor!

You can follow Arse-bot and all the pointless thoughts he puts out into the interwebs on Twitter @Arse_bot

Marvel announced today that they will be releasing graphic novels once again, starting with a Warren Ellis penned/Mike McKone pencilled Avengers epic this October.

“Avengers: Endless Wartime” features a team consisting of Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Hawkeye… And Wolverine and Captain Marvel. When asked what prompted the feature of this particular team in Marvel’s return to the format, EiC Axel Alonso replied “a little movie called ‘Marvel’s The Avengers.'”

Ellis did most of the casting himself, all the while keeping in mind which Avengers are hottest in the public eye right now (and which ones have major motion picture releases in the next 12 months). Alonso said that Thor and Cap were “must-haves,” but everyone else was Ellis’s choice. I appreciate Marvel’s honesty in the marketing department, but also appreciate that they know that Thor is an Avengers staple; Alonso says “Thor is one of—if not the—most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe. He’s a bedrock member of the Avengers. For long-term fans—and casual cineplex fans—he’s the guy who brings the thunder. Literally.” The team will face an as yet undisclosed “force of pure evil,” and Alonso and Senior VP Tom Brevoort assure Ellis fans that the darkness at which he is so skilled will be a prominent presence in the GN.

It’s a smart move for the publisher, and one that addresses many cross-walks the industry can utilize to bridge reader gaps – the format allows film fans/new readers as well as fans of Ellis to get involved with an Avengers story without the commitment to a monthly book (and you know what, I think it’s OK to not want to commit to a monthly book and still consider yourself a comics fan). I myself am happy to see some energy spent on OGN content, even if it means taking some focus from huge seasonal crossover events.

The creative team will be working with colorist Jason Keith, and McKone will be doing his own inking on the project.

For more images from “Avengers: Wartime,” be sure to check out Marvel’s tumblr, and click here for the full interview with Alonso and Brevoort.

Over the last week Marvel has released a bunch of teases that have had people speculating some out there theories. Talk of rebooting the Marvel Universe a la Flashpoint style seemed to be the most popular. Well on Sunday Marvel had their panel at SXSW and explained what those teases actually are. They have to do with a lot of things Marvel will be doing digitally. The first tease that came out last week was this:

And with that we get the announcement that Marvel is, for a limited time, offering 700 #1 issues and one shots for free on their digital site and app. This promotion will run until 11pm eastern time on Tuesday March 12th. This even includes the first issues of the recent Marvel Now titles. So if you’ve been wanting to check out some of the new series, but weren’t too sure, the first issues are all available. You may be waiting a bit though because comixology’s website crashed shortly after this announcement was made. I hope they have it fixed soon since this promotion is only running for 2 more days.

Let’s move on to the next tease:

The running joke on the internet was that this was going to be “The Now 52.” What could the 52 hashmarks be? Well there are 52 weeks in a year, and with that we’ll be getting 52 weekly digital infinite comics. We will see four seperate series with each one being 13 parts. The first is “Wolverine: Japan’s Most Wanted” written by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour and drawn by Paco Diaz. “What we’re doing with Infinite Comics is developing a new language for telling comic book stories” said Axel Alonso, Marvel’s Editor in Chief. The first issue comes out July 9th and is available for pre order right now on Marvel’s digital store.

&list=PLK5HARgNfgj8pKgwNqc7R-J8h4KlSZcs0

If you want a free taste of how the Infinte Comics work, Marvel released a free issue earlier this week spotlighting Drax the Destroyer from Guardians of the Galaxy written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Michael Avon Oeming. For more preview pages check the gallery at the end of the article.

The last tease Marvel had posted was about somthing called Project Gamma:

Project Gamma actually sounds pretty cool to me, but won’t be launching until later this year. Project Gamma is an initiative to add music and sound effects to your digital comics. This is being worked on by the same companies that composed and produced music for the Looper, Drive, The King’s Speech, and the Harry Potter films.

Marvel also announced that they are launching another weekly web series hosted by Blair Butler called “Marvel’s Earths Mightiest Show.” It will bring you news from Marvel, in addition to interviews and behind the scenes looks at their films.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CIMKWefySg&list=PLK5HARgNfgj8pKgwNqc7R-J8h4KlSZcs0

Marvel also pimped their AR app, which offers dvd like extras to comics.

Marvel wants you to get hyped up to see their Iron Man 3 teaser during the Super Bowl. And how would they do that? By teasing their teasers! Here is a good 15 seconds or so from IM3. Some we’ve seen, and some we haven’t. All I know is I’m excited for May 3rd!

-A7ME

Known mostly for his loud mouth and ability to back it up there is one thing you may not know about the WWE Champion CM Punk. He is a huge comic geek. The self proclaimed “Best in the World” will now have his words read instead of heard. He will be writing the introduction for the Avengers vs X-Men hardcover collection which will be released next week.

As excited as this wrestling fan is for that I’m curious what the sales numbers on the the AvX hardcover will be. First being released in a limited hardcover it includes all 12 issues of AvX, all 6 of the AvX Vs series, and the previously digital only infinite comics. Also a code to redeem a digital copy of the book will be available. And all you trade waiters can get this for a mere $75. That’s not a typo, I said $75. For what was Marvel’s biggest event of the year I would figure they’d want to sell as many copies of the collection as soon as they can, but with it being so pricey I don’t see it flying off the shelves.

For Immediate Release

WWE^® CHAMPION CM PUNK^® PENS INTRODUCTION TO THE LIMITED EDITION AVENGERS VS. X-MEN HARDCOVER

The Hottest Comic Of The Year Is Now The Most Anticipated Collection of 2012

 New York, New York, October 24, 2012 – The best-selling comic event of the year, hits store shelves in a limited-edition, oversized collection with the Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover featuring an introduction from WWE Superstar and Champion, CM Punk! Worlds collide as one of the top performers in WWE provides insight into the new landscape of the Marvel Universe in this one-of-a-kind introduction! Experience the pop culture event like never before as your favorite heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine, Cyclops, Magneto and more go head-to-head with the entire Marvel Universe at stake!

“To say I’m flattered to write the intro for the biggest comic book crossover EVER would be…well it wouldn’t be me,” said WWE Champion CM Punk. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s super cool, but it also makes sense. Best superheroes in the world?  Check. Best writers in the world (plus Ed Brubaker)? Check. Best artists in the world?  Yup, them too. Best wrestler in the world. That’s me!  So it’s the best team of all time!  We are all the best!  Now you will read the best!”

The Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover features the top talent of the industry including top-selling authors: Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man); Jason Aaron (Wolverine & The X-Men, Wolverine); Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four, Ultimate Comics Ultimates); Ed Brubaker (Captain America, Winter Soldier); Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man, The Mighty Thor) and even more! This unprecedented assembly of acclaimed writers is joined by a cavalcade of the industry’s superstar artists including John Romita Jr (Avengers); Olivier Coipel (The Mighty Thor); Adam Kubert (X-Men: Schism) and others.

“There is no better person who understands the theatrical nuances of a good rivalry than WWE Champion, CM Punk,” said Marvel Editor In Chief, Axel Alonso. “We couldn’t be happier to have him to share his praise of our biggest event yet with his fans, and ours.”

With a limited print run, the Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover includes a number of bonus features that enahnce the Avengers vs. X-Men experience even further including:

• Exclusive (to the collection) behind the scenes extras utilizing special augmented reality technology with the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma.
• Avengers vs. X-Men Infinite comics in print for the very first time!
• A code for a free digital copy available exclusively through the Marvel Comics app & Marvel Digital Comics Shop!

The Avengers and X-Men have learned that the all-powerful embodiment of both death and rebirth known as the Phoenix Force is on a crash course for Earth…and it needs a new host to unleash its immeasurable power. But what is the shocking decision tied to the Phoenix’s return that will pit the Avengers against the X-Men? And when good friends become bitter enemies, what does this mean for the future of the Marvel Universe?

You’ve heard It’s Coming—and this November witness every punch thrown, every shield slung and every blast blown out in the Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover!

All your favorite super heroes enter the fight—and only one team will emerge victorious!

For more on Avengers vs. X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.com

AVENGERS VS. X-MEN HARDCOVER

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, JASON AARON, ED BRUBAKER, JONATHAN HICKMAN, MATT FRACTION & MORE

Art by FRANK CHO,  JOHN ROMITA JR, OLIVIER COIPEL, ADAM KUBERT & MORE

Cover by JIM CHEUNG

$75.00 – Rated T+

ISBN: 978-0-7851-6317-6

 The Avengers fought the X-Men, but that was then, this is now. Marvel Now to be exact. What is Marvel Now you might be wondering? Marvel Now is the initiative right now at Marvel where they are shaking up creative teams on all the books and starting most of their series over with new #1 issues. It’s not a reboot, everything that happened before still happened. One such shakeup is the departure of Brian Michael Bendis from the Avengers line. After eight years and countless issues BMB is moving over to the X-men, but the question is who could fill his shoes on the Avengers? Jonathan Hickman, that’s who! Jonathan Hickman has made a name for himself over the last few years with his Nick Fury spy epic (Secret Warriors) and his much acclaimed run on the Fantastic Four/FF titles. He is a man with big out there ideas, but not so big and out there that you feel dumb cause you can’t understand them. Joining Hickman will be Jerome Opena on pencils. Opena has made a name for himself over the years working with Rick Remender on Uncanny X-Force, Punisher, and Fear Agent. The preview pages  below the press release make me excited to see what kinds of cool things these two have in store for us.

Marvel NOW! – AVENGERS #1 First Look!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look atAvengers #1, kicking off the all-new ongoing series from the blockbuster creative team of writer Jonathan Hickman, artist Jerome Opena and colorist Dean White! The greatest heroes in comics together on one unbeatable team! Now shipping twice a month, the Avengers “go large,” expanding their roster and their sphere of influence to a global and even interplanetary level. When Captain America puts out his call – who will answer? Big threats, big ideas, big idealism – these are the Avengers NOW!

As part ofMarvel NOW!, Avengers  joins a number of titles that will take the Marvel Universe in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes to deliver all-new ongoing series, great for new and lapsed readers alike!

Each issue ofAvengers includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices). Additionally, each issue ofAvengers features special augmented reality content available exclusive through theMarvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.

An all-new direction! All-new threats! This isAvengers NOW!

ThisDecember, Jonathan Hickman and Jerome Opena redefine what it means to be Earth’s Mightiest inAvengers #1!

AVENGERS #1 (SEP120526)

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN

Art by JEROME OPENA

Colors by DEAN WHITE

Cover by DUSTIN WEAVER

On Sale – 12/5/2012